Students

With a post-graduation job already secured in the equine industry, Kara Einarson’s career is off to a promising start.

A transfer from Washington, Einarson is a natural horsemanship major with a business management option. Einarson, who is currently enjoying her senior year at the University of Montana Western, discovered the natural horsemanship program by chance.

“I found an ad for the horsemanship program in an equestrian magazine,” Einarson explains. “I met one too many horses that had been trained incorrectly. I wanted to do it the right way.”

Montana Western’s natural horsemanship program teaches students training techniques based on the natural behavior of horses. Students use these training techniques to create a human-equine partnership formed by trust.

Einarson enrolled in Montana Western’s unique equine program in order to satisfy her personal desire to better understand horse training. A horse enthusiast for most of her life, Einarson was comfortable with horses, but still found herself challenged by the natural horsemanship program.

“It was rough the first year, but I stuck it out and it has been worth it,” Einarson says. “It works. I like to do colt starting. It’s nice to get a blank slate and see progress.”

Although balancing horses and classes is always hard, Einarson discovered the Experience One block-scheduling program simplified her schedule.

“In Washington I was going to six classes a day and training my horse,” she recalls.

“Here it’s simpler. I can focus. You can get into classes, do activities, ask questions and really let it sink in. The block works great with natural horsemanship.”

Experience One is only half of the reason for Einarson’s appreciation of Montana Western.

“All the professors are very willing to help,” Einarson adds. “You are not just a number here. Without the professors I would not be where I am. It’s nice to have professors willing to stick with it. I love the professors here. I can’t say enough about them all.”

With graduation around the corner, Einarson credits Experience One, the professors, and the natural horsemanship program for giving her the tools to succeed in finding a job so early on in her career. The job was offered to her by a Washington-based Arabian farm where she completed her natural horsemanship internship. Einarson will groom and care for the young horses at the farm, but she says the opportunity for advancement exists.